An optical assembly is provided that allows a user to view objects with normal perspective and scale under conditions of total darkness, in daylight, or other conditions limiting normal vision, or adverse weather conditions. The optical assembly includes a white light flashlight, with a filter cap mounted to the illuminating end of the flashlight. The filter cap permits infrared light in the appropriate range of 900 to 1200 nanometers to pass through. The optical assembly further includes a camera pack including a camera, and preferably including a transmitter. Said camera pack attached to the flashlight and in communication with a display mounted to a head gear worn by the user so that the screen of the display is directly in front of an eye of the user. The camera lens of the camera pack and the illuminating end of the flashlight are aligned along a single linear optical axis. The camera pack communicates with the display via a communication means when wireless communication is not preferred. The optical assembly includes a receiver coupled to the display when wireless communication is preferred, said receiver permits wireless transmission of images from the transmitter disposed within the camera pack. The receiver will also provide wireless communication between the receiver and a remote source equipped with a transmitter. In use, the object under surveillance is targeted by the illuminating light of the flashlight. A portion of the light is filtered by the filter cap, and a portion is passed through the filter cap to the object, the camera receives the light reflected off the object and generates a video signal to the display responsive to the received light, for which may be viewed by the human eye.